This clinical trial is the first study to apply neurodynamic mobilization, a nervous system specific therapeutic exercise, on patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA). Objective of the study is to find out the effect of neurodynamic mobilization for joint inflammation in patients with RA.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by generalized joints inflammation. With increasing investigation on the pathology, the treatment focus on the conditions shifted from a musculoskeletal point of view to a systemic approach. The awareness of holistic treatment was also increased. Latest studies have found out the neurogenic inflammatory mechanism played an important role in the inflammatory process of RA, the pathological changes of neural tissues in RA were also noted. This clinical trial is the first study to apply neurodynamic mobilization, a nervous system specific therapeutic exercise, on patients with RA. Objective of the study is to find out the effect of neurodynamic mobilization for joint inflammation in patients with RA. Population Adults who are diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Intervention Neurodynamic Exercise Comparison Standard conservative physiotherapy protocol Outcome Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Scale (RAPS) C-reactive protein (CRP) test
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
40
The mobilization exercise is conducted with 10 repetitions for each action, the action is hold for 5 seconds when subjects had the stretch feeling. The series of exercise is told to perform 2 sets a day, daily practice. Subjects' conditions will be reviewed at the end of 4th and 8th week. An exercise log book will be provided for each subject to record down the compliance of the exercise.
The control group is assigned to received conventional treatment in the physiotherapy department with the standard rehabilitation protocol consisted of electrotherapy for pain relief, strengthening exercise to increase the strength of the thigh
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
RECRUITINGRheumatoid Arthritis Pain Scale (RAPS)
Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Scale (RAPS) will be used to rate the severity of the pain in subjects with RA; before, between and after the experimental period. The questionnaire consists of 24 items with a scale from 0-6 to quantify the severity of the Rheumatoid Arthritis The test will be conducted in the baseline, at 4th week, and the end of the investigation at 8th week.
Time frame: 8 weeks
C-reactive protein (CRP) test
C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the most widely used measurements to indicate the severity of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. The choice of CRP is due to its cost effectiveness, reliability and reproducibility. The test will be coducted by nurses, a 3cc blood sample will be taken from the subject and sent to the laboratory to investigate the C-reactive protein level. The test will be conducted in the baseline, at 4th week, and the end of the investigation at 8th week.
Time frame: 8 weeks
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